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The Manhattan District Attorney’s office has confirmed it is conducting an investigation into sexual assault allegations against Eric Swalwell, a prominent Democratic congressman from California currently in the race to become the state’s governor. The inquiry follows accusations from a former staff member who alleges that Swalwell sexually assaulted her on two occasions, claims that he has vehemently denied as politically motivated.
Allegations Surface
The investigation comes to light after the *San Francisco Chronicle* reported on Friday that a woman who previously worked in Swalwell’s district office accused him of two instances of nonconsensual sexual encounters. These incidents reportedly took place in California in 2019 and in New York in 2024. The accuser stated that she was too intoxicated to provide consent during both encounters, citing her mental incapacity at the time.
In a troubling development, the woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, accused Swalwell of rape during an interview with CNN, where her face was obscured for privacy. Furthermore, the report indicated that at least three additional women have alleged that Swalwell sent them inappropriate messages, including unsolicited explicit images and unwanted physical advances.
Legal Implications and Responses
New York law stipulates that an individual cannot legally consent to sexual activity if they are mentally incapacitated or physically helpless due to substance use. However, the nuances of consent, particularly concerning voluntary intoxication, can often complicate such cases. The Manhattan DA’s office has encouraged anyone with information related to the allegations to reach out to its special victims division, promising a trauma-informed approach to the investigation.
Swalwell has categorically denied the allegations, calling them “absolutely false” and suggesting that they have been orchestrated to undermine his campaign ahead of the critical June primary to replace outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom. “These allegations did not happen, they have never happened, and I will fight them with everything that I have,” he asserted in a statement.
Political Fallout
As news of the investigation spread, Swalwell’s political support began to wane. Prominent backers of his gubernatorial campaign, including all 21 of his congressional supporters, have started to withdraw
